The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: Book of Carol Finale Review: “Au Revoir Les Enfant”: Daryl and Carol Seek Closure in a Complicated Finale
“Au Revoir Les Enfant” (Goodbye Children) offers some much-needed closure and a glimmer of hope for the future.
The episode primarily unfolds at the racetrack, where Daryl and Carol (Melissa McBride) must decide who will board Ash’s (Manish Dayal) plane back to the U.S. with Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi). Daryl’s motivations for volunteering to stay behind are unclear. Is his choice one of selflessness, or does his insistence that he was wrong to want to return home indicate a newfound sense of belonging in France, even without Isabelle and Laurent? It’s frustrating to be this deep into Daryl’s arc without a clear understanding of his desires or the lessons he has learned.
As the group debates who should take the flight, we also follow Codron (Romain Levi) and Fallou (Eriq Ebouaney) on a side mission to a former hospital in search of supplies, accompanied by newcomer Akila (Soraya Hachoumi). These moments would have been more impactful earlier in the season; instead, they feel like an afterthought. The dynamics between these former adversaries, including lighthearted jokes about French healthcare and a budding romance for Fallou, serve to deepen character connections, but they arrive too late to resonate fully.
Nevertheless, this subplot does advance the main narrative.
The pair encounters Sabine (Tatiana Gousseff) and Jacinta (Nassima Benchicou), who reveal that Jacinta is now determined to prove Laurent’s immunity to walker bites following Losang’s death. Their escape, aided by Akila’s witty remark about “men,” sets off a chain of events that leads to urgent preparations for the plane’s departure, creating a tension-filled escape reminiscent of earlier thrilling moments in the series. Ash’s successful takeoff provides a satisfying climax, even if it feels diminished by the absence of the show’s previous antagonists, Genet and Losang, which weakens the emotional stakes of Laurent’s escape.
In a pivotal moment, Carol dramatically exits the plane just before takeoff, a move that feels believable given McBride’s previous absence from the series. This decision hints at a deeper emotional connection that remains unexplored, especially since Daryl’s reaction to her presence is notably restrained. It seems the writers hesitate to let the characters share profound emotional exchanges, perhaps out of fear that they might reveal too much about their relationship. Even as Carol and Daryl ride a stolen motorcycle through France, the absence of close-up shots suggests a reluctance to delve into their bond. This is especially disappointing, as a callback to their earlier adventures together would have enriched their narrative.
As the characters prepare for their journey to England, Daryl’s reassurance to Carol that they will stick together lacks clarity and emotional weight. Meanwhile, the budding romance between Codron and Fallou adds a fresh dynamic, showcasing their chemistry more effectively than Daryl and Isabelle’s relationship did. This development reflects the show’s ongoing exploration of love and hope, echoed in the words of characters like Didi and the Mother Superior.
Inside the Channel Tunnel, the episode culminates in a blend of walker confrontations, human betrayals, and personal reckonings, spurred by the hallucinogenic effects of bat guano. Each character faces their inner demons: Codron confronts the ghost of his brother, Daryl sees Isabelle reappear to inspire him, and Carol encounters both her past self and the spirit of Sophia, providing her with the closure she has long sought. This powerful moment, where Carol finally embraces a healthy version of Sophia, signifies a poignant release from her grief and guilt.
The emotional payoff of these scenes, particularly McBride’s heartfelt performance, underscores the show’s struggle to maintain a consistent emotional core. However, the reunion between Carol and Daryl feels anticlimactic, as they exchange simple pleasantries and prepare to face the unknown with gas masks. Daryl’s internal journey remains murky; the audience is left wondering what he has truly learned about himself and what he desires. Despite the song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” playing during their exit, the episode raises more questions than it answers regarding Daryl’s wants and needs.
Ultimately, while “Au Revoir Les Enfant” offers moments of emotional depth and character development, it leaves lingering uncertainties about Daryl’s future and his relationship with Carol. The essence of their bond remains the show’s heart, providing a sense of direction amidst the chaos of their journey, and it is this connection that gives hope for what lies ahead.
What did you think think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
Comments